Three Trenton Council Ward incumbents win; East Ward, At-large races will have a runoff

TRENTON — It was a good thing to be an incumbent in the ward races for council.

Three incumbents trumped their competition in the city’s wards.

In the East Ward, Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson garnered more votes than her two challengers, but she will be in a runoff with opponent Joe Harrison because she didn’t receive 51 percent of the vote.

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“I’m happy we had the large turnout,” the first-term councilwoman said after receiving 42 percent of the vote. “I feel I will be successful for re-election.”

The 42-year-old has touted the opening of the East Ward precinct during her tenure to improve communications with police. She is a program specialist at the state Department of Community Affairs.

Harrison, 44, secured 34 percent of the vote, while falling out of the runoff race was Pearlie Ames-Murray.

Harrison believes the city needs to find more funding through grants to bring back the 105 cops who were laid off more than two years ago. Harrison, a lifelong resident, is an analyst with the state Department of Human Services.

In the South Ward, incumbent George Muschal, who is also acting mayor, easily cruised over challengers Najee Cunningham and Photina Fuller.

“He wants to thank The Trentonian for all of their help,” supporter Mike Wyman said after the results came in.

Muschal, who could not personally be reached for comment, is a former city police officer of 40 years.

At the end of February, he took over the term of former convicted Mayor Tony F. Mack, which expires on July 1. He has held his position as council president while being acting mayor.

During the past month, Muschal’s shortened tenure as mayor has been controversial.

He sued his peers on council and all the city’s department directors, claiming he has the authority to remove them. The case is scheduled to be heard on May 20 in state Superior Court.

Muschal has been elected three times to the South Ward seat — first in a special election in 2009, then again the following year and with Tuesday’s victory.

“I just want to say thank you to all the West Ward residents for voting for me and giving me four more years,” the first-term councilman said. “I am going to work with whoever is elected mayor and I plan to work with my council colleagues to get things done for the West Ward and the city of Trenton. I also plan to get a good night’s sleep, which I haven’t done in a couple weeks.”

The 45-year-old is a government liaison officer with the Red Cross for Superstorm Sandy. Chester touted having abandoned houses torn down in the West Ward, and previously said the current council doesn’t “know each other,” and he looks to change that.

For the at-large race, there will be a runoff for the top six of nine candidates.

Candidates Carter Patterson, Christine Donahue and Lee Ingram finished in the bottom of the pack.

About the Author

Originally from Webster, N.Y., David has been a reporter in N.J. for the past three years (first in Phillipsburg and now in Trenton).He is a Temple alum who interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. Reach the author at dfoster@trentonian.com
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